Machine of Truth
Kur machine used to exact truth and military intelligence from captives; results are death.
He looked at me." Oh, I could have your mind torn open, and could break you, or kill you, as anything can be torn and broken, or killed, but, in the end I, at best, would know only what you believed to be true, and that may or may not be true… You are like a Kur," he said." That is why I like you." He put a heavy paw on my shoulder." It would be wrong for you to die in the machine of truth," he said. — Beasts of Gor, page 375.
Magaksicaagliwi
In the language of the red savages, term meaning the Moon of the Returning Gants; one of the spring moons.
"For those who might be interested in such things, we came to the wands in the early spring, early in Magaksicaagliwi, which is the Moon of the Returning Gants." — Savages of Gor, page 144.
Mahpiyasapa
A red savage term meaning "Black" (sapa) "Clouds" (mahpiya). See also: "Sapa."
"Yes," said Grunt, "when last I was in the land of the Kaiila, I met him in general council, with Black Clouds, Mahpiyasapa, civil chief of the Isbu." — Savages of Gor, page 315.
Maize
Indian corn; grown in agricultural communities in the Barrens. Known in the language of the red savages as "Wagmeza."
"They grow produce for their masters, such as wagmeza and wagmu, maize, or corn, and such things as pumpkins and squash." — Savages of Gor, page 234.
Male House Slave
A domestic male slave.
Three male house slaves stumbled by, crowned with odorous garlands woven of the Brak Bush. They were passing about a bota of paga and, between dancing and trying to hold one another up, managed to weave unsteadily by. One of them looked at me and from his eyes I judged he may have seen at least three of me and offered me a swig of the bota, which I took. "Kajuralia," said he, nearly falling over backwards, being rescued by one of his fellows, who seemed fortunately to be falling in the opposite direction at the same time. I gave him a silver coin for more paga. — Assassin of Gor, page 223.
Mamba
A large reptile found in the rainforests; the river tharlarion. Of interest to some, I have seen mention that "Mamba" is the Swahili word for "Alligator." This is not true. The Swahili word for "Alligator" is "Wa Nyanya." The word "Mamba" is actually of Zulu origin and refers to a highly poisonous snake found in Africa.
Etymology: Zulu im-amba;
"Any of several tropical and southern African venomous snakes of the genus Dendraspis related to the cobras but lacking a dilatable hood; especially: a southern African snake (D. angusticeps) that has a light or olive-green phase and a black phase, that attains in the latter phase a length of 12 feet, and that is dreaded because of its quickness and readiness to inflict its often fatal bite." — Merriam-Webster Dictionary ©2004-2006
"The word 'Mamba' in most of the river dialects does not refer to a venomous reptile as might be expected, given its meaning in English, but, interestingly, is applied rather generally to most types of predatory river tharlarion." — Explorers of Gor, page 393.
Mamba People
Cannibal tribe of the Ushindi.
Man-at-Arms
A warrior; cavalryman. Often used to keep discipline during audiences with political figures.
Date: 1581;
Soldier; especially: a heavily armed and usually mounted soldier. — Merriam-Webster Dictionary ©2004-2006
"I turned to see a stout man-at-arms step to the dais…" — Nomads of Gor, page 44.
" … a sizable number of men-at-arms, who would be directly responsible to the council itself, in effect, a small council police or army." — Raiders of Gor, page 159.
"At the corners of the room, helmeted, with spears, stood men-at-arms." — Tribesmen of Gor, page 8.
Manacles
Heavy metal cuffs used on male slaves and captives.
Manumission
The formal process of freeing a slave.
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin manumission-, manumissio, from manumittere; Date: 15th century:
"The act or process of manumitting; especially: formal emancipation from slavery." — Merriam-Webster Dictionary ©2004-2006
"The papers are papers of manumission," I said. "I am no longer your master. You no longer have a master."
"Manumission," he asked.
"You are free," I told him. — Magicians of Gor, page 460.
Marble
Stone used in flooring, etc.
"… some were flopping about awkwardly on the marble floor, pierced by arrows." — Tarnsman of Gor, page 199.
"The Cylinder of Justice was a lofty cylinder of pure white marble… the marble roof of the cylinder…" — Tarnsman of Gor, page 204.
March
Highly militaristic and organized, with divisors and multiples having to do with seemingly, a base-twelve mathematics, a March is a Kurii military unit consisting of twelve Bands and their officers (approximately 2100-2200 individuals).
"In their military organizations," I said, "six such beasts constitute a Hand, and its leader is called an Eye. Two hands and two eyes constitute a larger unit, called a 'Kur' or 'Beast,' which is commanded by a leader, or Blood. Twelve such units constitute a Band, commanded again by a Blood, though of higher rank. Twelve bands, Twelve bands, again commanded by a Blood, of yet higher rank, constitute a March. Twelve Marches is said to constitute a People. These divisors and multiples have to do with, it seems, a base-twelve mathematics, itself perhaps indexed historically to the six digits of one of the creature's prehensil appendages." — Savages of Gor, page 22.
"A march is a Kur military expression. It refers to twelve bands and their officers. It consists of between twenty-one hundred and twenty-two hundred animals." — Beasts of Gor, page 374.
March Chain
In reference to method of chaining slave girls, known as the "common chain" or "trekking chain." See: "Common Chain."
March of the First Five Born
A ritual of the Priest-Kings during the Gur ceremony in which the first five born of the Mother march forward, abreast to the Mother of the nest, to give her Gur, in reverse order of their status.
"I gathered that perhaps this was the culmination of the Feast of Tola, the giving of Gur by the greatest of the Priest- Kings, the First Five Born, save that of that number there were only two left, the First Born and the Fifth, Sarm and Misk. As it turned out later I was correct in this surmise and the moment of the ceremony is known as the March of the First Five Born, in which these five march abreast to the Mother and give her Gur in inverse order of their priority." — Priest-Kings of Gor, page 216.
Marchers
Army ants found in the rainforest of the Ushindi.
"I had then heard, as I had once before, but had been unable to place the noise, the sound, that strange sound, as of a small wind moving leaves. I had heard it before on the edge of the lagoon, but had not understood it. Soon, as we approached more closely, quietly, the sound became much louder. It was now clearly distinguishable as a quite audible rustling or stirring. But there was no wind. "The marchers," said the leader of the small men, pointing. The hair on the back of my neck rose." — Explorers Gor, page 400.
Margin Of Desolation
In an effort to keep Ar well-guarded, Marlenus had his men burn a large strip of land surrounding the borders of the city. Later, after the fall of Marlenus and his eventual return to Ar as Ubar, this area was allowed to recover, although it still was referred to as the Margin of Desolation. I found reference in a site that mentioned Gu-Edin being the original margin of desolation. Refer to the Books of Gor page regarding "Gu-Edin" and what is wrong — and right — about this information.
Marine Saurian
One of the many water lizards, 
of varying sizes and degrees of danger to man, that inhabit the Thassa. Most probably, the tharlarions of the water, from the tiny tharlarion to the gigantic sea-tharlarion. Please refer to the Tharlarion page for complete information.
Etymology: New Latin Sauria, from New Latin saurus lizard, from Greek sauros; Date: circa 1829;
"Any of a suborder (Sauria) of reptiles including the lizards and in older classifications the crocodiles and various extinct forms (as the dinosaurs and ichthyosaurs) that resemble lizards." — Merriam-Webster Dictionary ©2002-2006
"A few feet from the raft, rolling lifeless in the water, was a grotesque marine saurian, fishlike but reptilian, more than twenty feet in length." — Slave Girl of Gor, page 371.
Mark of the Black Dagger
The mark of the black dagger, a small, very fine image in black of a dagger, is used by a member of the Caste of Assassins to note visibly that he has been hired as a mercenary. After receiving his payment of gold, he affixes this mark to his forhead; such mark allows the Assassin unhindered access into all cities with a guarantee none will interfere in his work.
"Kuurus, of the Caste of Assassins, entered the great gate of Ar. Guardsmen did not detain him, for he wore on his forehead the mark of the black dagger." — Assassin of Gor, page 6.
"Yet none would stand in the way of Kuurus for he wore on his forehead, small and fine, the sign of the black dagger. When he of the Caste of Assassins has been paid his gold and has received his charge he affixes on his forehead that sign, that he may enter whatever city he pleases, that none may interfere with his work. There are few men who have done great wrong or who have powerful, rich enemies who do not tremble upon learning that one has been brought to their city who wears the dagger." — Assassin of Gor, pages 6-7.
"The men looked at the Assassin, who regarded them, one by one. Men turned white under that gaze. Some fled from the tables, lest, unknown to themselves, it be they for whom this man wore the mark of the black dagger." — Assassin of Gor, page 8.
"Scarcely a quarter of an Ahn had passed and the men who drank in that room had forgotten, as is the way of men, that a dark one sat with them in that room, one who wore the black tunic of the Caste of Assassins, who silently drank with them. It was enough for them that he who sat with them did not this time wear for them the mark of the black dagger on his forehead, that it was not they whom he sought." — Assassin of Gor, page 9.
Market of Semris
A city known for its commercial slave trade.
"Ironically, it had been I, purchased in Market of Semris, a barbarian, who had been brought back to Brundisium." — Dancer of Gor, page 147.
Marking Stick
In the first quote, the pen is probably a grease pen as is commonly used at auction blocks, though it is not said as such. In the second quote, the marking stick is possibly a pen or pencil. See also: "Grease Marking Stick."
"The tall man removed a marking stick from his pouch and, on the interior of the left shoulder, on its softness, of the auburn-haired girl, wrote a word… Then he turned to me and, with the same marking stick, wrote on the interior of my left shoulder… The stain of the marking stick would last until it was washed off." — Slave Girl of Gor, page 38.
He turned to the slave girl, Luma. "Copy down," said he, "on your paper the order of the beads, in widely spaced rows. Give me then your marking stick and your paper." — Slave Girl of Gor, page 386.
Marsh Barge
A high prowed barge used in navigating the reedy marshes of the Vosk delta, normally rowed by slaves.
"The high-prowed marsh barge is anchored at both stem and stern." — Raiders of Gor, page 61.
Marsh Gant
A long-legged marsh bird with a piping cry, similar to an Earth curlew (sandpiper). See: "Gant."
"The calls of marsh gants, a kind of piping whistle…" — Raiders of Gor, page 8.
Marsh Girl
Daughter of a rence grower.
"Marsh girls, the daughters of rence growers, sometimes hunt them with throwing sticks." — Raiders of Gor, page 4.
Marsh Shark
One of the large carnivorous fish which inhabit the Vosk marshes.
"Not only must they fear the marsh sharks… which frequent the lower delta…" — Raiders of Gor, page 8.
Marsh Spear
A weapon of the Rencers.
"Instantly there was a great cry from all sides, and, breaking through the rushes and sedge, dozens of rence craft, bound with marsh vine, thrust into view, each poled by one man, with another in the prow, a two- or three-pronged marsh spear uplifted." — Raiders of Gor, page 12.
It was pointless to unsheath my sword, or to take up a weapon. From the safety of the yards of marsh water separating me from my enemies I could have been immediately slain, lost in a thicket of the two- or three-pronged marsh spears." — Raiders of Gor, page 12.
Marsh Tharlarion
Large reptile found in the Vosk marshes.
"My leg was out of the water, but now the water seemed yellow with the flashing bodies of tiny tharlarion, and beyond them, I heard the hoarse grunting of the great marsh tharlarion, some of which grow to be more than thirty feet in length, weighing more than half a hundred men." — Raiders of Gor, page 58.
Marsh Turtle
Reptile found in the Vosk marshes.
"I saw the sudden, rolling yellowish flash of the slatted belly of a water tharlarion, turning as it made its swift strike, probably a Vosk carp or marsh turtle." — Raiders of Gor, page 1.
Marsh Vine
Vine found in the marshes along the Vosk.
"In many places it is too shallow to float even the great flat-bottomed barges and, more importantly, a path for them would have to be cut and chopped, foot by foot, through the thickets of rush and sedge, and the tangles of marsh vine." — Raiders of Gor, page 5.
Martial Law
When Tarl Cabot stole the Home Stone of Ar, citizens rebelled and Ubar Marlenus fled, the Initiates seized control of the city.
"The Initiates have assumed command… The city is under martial law." In that moment I detested the Initiates of Ar, who, like other members of their caste throughout Gor, were only too eager to seize some particle of the political power they had supposedly renounced in choosing to wear the white robes of their calling. — Tarnsman of Gor, page 102.
Master-at-Arms
Officer charged with weapons training, maintenance of order, discipline and similar duties.Weapons trainer. John Norman changes the wording to Master of Arms in one of the passages.
Inflected Form:plural masters-at-arms;
"A petty officer on a man-of-war charged with the maintenance of order, discipline, the custody of prisoners, and similar duties." &mbsp; Merriam-Webster Dictionary ©2006.
"His whole body, his carriage, the holding of his head bespoke the warrior, a man who knew his weapons and, on the simple world of Gor, knew that he could kill almost any man who might stand against him… Indeed, the largest part of my education was to be in arms, mostly training in the spear and sword… I also learned the use of the shield, primarily to meet the cast spear obliquely so that it would deflect harmlessly. Towards the end of my training I always fought with shield and helmet… Besides the spear and sword, the crossbow and longbow were permitted… The Older Tarl, my redoubtable instructor in arms, did not care for them, regarding them as secondary weapons almost unworthy for the hand of a warrior." — Tarnsman of Gor, pages 47-49.
"My return to the city was affecting, for here it was that my sword had been pledged to a Gorean Home Stone; here it was that I had trained in arms and learned Gorean; it was here that I had met my father, after long years of separation; it was here that I had made dear friends, the Older Tarl, Master of Arms, and small, quick-tempered Torm, he of the Caste of Scribes; and it was from this place that I had, many years before, in tarnflight begun the work that would shatter the Empire of Ar and cost Marlenus of Ar, Ubar of Ubars, his throne; and, too, it was to this place, I could not forget, that I had once brought on tarnback, not as a vanquished slave but as a proud, and beautiful, and free, joyous woman, Talena, daughter of that same Marlenus, Ubar of Ubars, had brought her to this place in love that we might here together drink, one with the other, the wine of the Free Companionship." — Assassin of Gor, page 73.
"It is the weapon of the peasant, I heard echoing in my mind… The Older Tarl, my former master-at-arms, had so spoken to me…" — Raiders of Gor, page 3.
Master Keeper
In a slaver's house, the head slave-keeper.
"Who is it?" I called.
"Ho-Tu, Master Keeper," came the response, muffled, scarcely audible, behind the heavy beams of the door. — Assassin of Gor, page 84.
Ho-Tu was a short, corpulent man, broad-shouldered, stripped to the waist. He had quick black eyes set in a shaven head, the threads of a mustache dangled at the sides of his mouth. About his neck he wore a rude ornament, a loose iron chain bearing, also in iron, a medallion, the crest of the House of Cernus. He had a broad leather belt, with four buckles. To this belt there hung the sheath of a hook knife, which was buckled in the sheath, the strap passing over the hilt. Also, clipped to the belt, was a slave whistle, used in issuing signals, summoning slaves, and so on. On the other side of the belt, there hung a slave goad, rather like the tarn goad, except that it is designed to be used as an instrument for the control of human beings rather than tarns. — Assassin of Gor, page 84.
Master of Revels
The Master of Entertainment of a city; this official is responsible for obtaining and issuing of licenses for the entertainment troupes; "gratuities" considered a perquisite of the office.
Revels Office:
"A former office in the English royal household of which the master of the revels was head and which had charge of court entertainment."
— Merriam-Webster Dictionary ©2004-2006Perquisite:
Etymology:Middle English, from Medieval Latin perquisitum, from neuter of perquisitus, past participle of perquirere to obtain, acquire, from Latin, to ask about diligently, to make diligent search for, from per- thoroughly + -quirere (from quaerere to seek, gain, obtain, ask);
"Casual income or profits (as from heriots, escheats, reliefs) accruing to the lord of a feudal manor; a privilege, gain, or profit incidental to an employment in addition to regular salary or wages; especially: one expected or promised ; gratuity, tip; especially: one expected or claimed by custom for a service.
— Merriam-Webster Dictionary ©2004-2006
"This is particularly the case when small committees are involved in the approvals or given individuals, such as a city's Entertainment Master or Master of Revels. There is little secret, incidentally, about the briberies involved. There are even fairly well understood bribery scales, indexed to the type of troupe, its supposed treasury, the number of days requested for the license, and so on. These things are so open, and so well acknowledged, that perhaps one should think of them more as gratuities or service fees than as bribes. More than one Master of Revels regards them as an honest perquisite of his office." — Players of Gor, page 11.
Matok
"One who is in the Nest but not of the Nest." These are creatures, human and non-humanoid, who live amongst the Priest Kings, but do not directly serve them.
"What is a Matok?" I asked.
"A creature that is in the Nest but is not of the Nest," said Misk. — Priest-Kings of Gor, page 92."In the next few weeks in the Nest I would occasionally come upon diseased Muls. the organisms which afflict them are apparently harmless to Priest-Kings and thus allowed to survive. Indeed, they are regarded as Matoks, in the Nest, but not of the Nest, and are thus to be tolerated with equanimity." — Priest-Kings of Gor, page 108.
Maza
The term in the language of the red savages is "metal."
"Adjectives in sign commonly, though not always, follow the noun, so to speak. This arrangement is doubtless to be expected, for it reflects a common grammatical feature of the spoken languages of the red savages. The word 'mazasapa', for example, literally means 'black metal.' 'Maza' is the word for 'metal' and 'sapa' is the word for 'black'. We would translate the expression, of course, as 'iron'." — Savages of Gor, page 246.
Mazasa
Red savage word meaning "Copper."
"Tatankasa," said Canka.
"'Red Bull,'" translated Grunt.
"It would make my heart heavy to have you killed," said Canka. The kailiauk bull is "Tatanka." The suffix "Sa" designates the color red, as in "Mazasa", "Red Metal", "Copper." — Savages of Gor, page 326.
Mazasapa
The term in the language of the red savages, is literally translately to mean "black metal," however, the actual meaning to those on Earth as "iron."
"Adjectives in sign commonly, though not always, follow the noun, so to speak. This arrangement is doubtless to be expected, for it reflects a common grammatical feature of the spoken languages of the red savages. The word 'mazasapa', for example, literally means 'black metal.' 'Maza' is the word for 'metal' and 'sapa' is the word for 'black'. We would translate the expression, of course, as 'iron'." — Savages of Gor, page 246.
Mazahuhu
The term in the Dust-Leg dialect of the red savages meaning "bracelets."
Mazahuhu Band
Literal, Bracelets Band. The Dust-Leg name for the Kaiila band known as the Napoktan. See: "Napoktan."
"The Bracelets band, or the Napoktan, wear copper bracelets on the left wrist. This band, outside of the Kaiila, is often known as the Mazahuhu band, which is the Dust-Leg word for bracelets." — Blood Brothers of Gor, pages 10-11.
Meat Catch
A common wagering game, in which slave girls are bound with hands behind their back, kneeling side by side. Scraps of meat are tossed, girls get points for catching the meat.
Meat Trap
A horrible, yet ingenous trap of the Innuit, in which a whale bone is sharpened at both ends, then folded in S-folds, tied with sinew and then hidden inside meat. These traps are often used against predators of the north, such as sleen. The death within an Ahn of an average sleen eating the meat, a painful, horrible death.
Medium Class
Denotes the size of a ship; most ram-ships are of medium or heavy class.
"Indeed, the galleys of Port Kar, medium and heavy class, carried shearing blades, which had been an invention of Tersites." — Raiders of Gor, page 136.
Melons
A gourd-fruit.
Please Note: "celane melons" are not found in the books by John Norman; they are an mIRC creation. I have actually seen someone use the following quote to demonstrate the evidence of "celane" melons. Perhaps "celane" translates to "various sorts" in her language? On earth, celane is a shrub that exudes a milky sap, and is definitely not edible!
"A great amount of farming, or perhaps one should speak of gardening, is done at the oasis, but little of this is exported. At the oasis will be grown a hybrid, brownish Sa-Tarna, adapted to the heat of the desert; most Sa-Tarna is yellow; and beans, berries, onions, tuber suls, various sorts of melons, a foliated leaf vegetable, called Katch, and various root vegetables, such as turnips, carrots, radishes, of the sphere and cylinder varieties, and korts, a large, brownish-skinned, thick-skinned, sphere-shaped vegetable, usually some six inches in width, the interior of which is yellowish, fibrous and heavily seeded. At the oasis, because of the warm climate, the farmers can grow two or more crops a year." — Tribesmen of Gor, page 37.
[The] Memory
A tradition of the red savages of an intense hatred of whites; the one thing which unites the various tribes normally at war with each other to keep the integrity of the tribes and the Barrens.
"Although there are numerous physical and cultural differences among these people they are usually collectively referred to as the red savages. This is presumably a function of so little being known about them, as a whole, and the cunning, ruthlessness and ferocity of so many of the tribes. They seem to live for hunting and internecine warfare, which seems to serve almost as a sport and a religion for them. Interestingly enough most of these tribes seem to be united only by a hatred of whites, which hatred, invariably, in a time of emergency or crisis, takes precedence over all customary conflicts and rivalries. To attack whites, intruding into their lands, once the war lance has been lifted, even long-term blood enemies will ride side by side. The gathering of tribes, friends and foes alike, for such a battle is said to be a splendid sight. These things are in virtue of what, among these peoples, is called the Memory." — Savages of Gor, page 35.
Men Below the Mountains
In reference to the humans that live on the planet of Gor, below the Sardar mountains.
"They limit, selectively, the technology available to us, the Men Below the Mountains." — Tarnsman of Gor, page 31.
"… the Mortals, or Men Below the Mountains …" — Tarnsman of Gor, page 31.
"Whereas the Men Below the Mountains, as the mortals are called …" — Outlaw of Gor, page 47.
Merchant Foot
The accurate wording of the unit of measure, which Tarl Cabot referred to as the "Gorean Foot." See: "Gorean Foot."
"As in the case of the official 'Stone,' so, too, at the Sardar in a metal rod, which determines the Merchant Foot, or Gorean foot, as I have called it." — Raiders of Gor, pages 127-128.
Merchant Fortresses
Forts erected by the merchants. Often, retinues of merchants caravans stop at these fortresses for rest, recoupment, purchasing and trading of goods, and such. Open to common merchants and slavers, as well as individual travelers.
"The Merchants have, in the past few years, on certain trade routes, between Ar and Ko-ro-ba, and between Tor and Ar, established palisaded compounds, defensible stockades. These, where they exist, tend to be placed approximately a day's caravan march apart. Sometimes, of course, and indeed, most often, the caravan must camp in the open. Still, these hostels, where they are to be found, are welcome, both to common merchants and to slavers, and even to travelers. Various cities, through their own Merchant Law, legislated and revised, and upheld, at the Sardar Fairs. The walls are double, the interior wall higher, and tarn wire is strung over the compound. These forts do not differ much, except in size, from the common border forts, which cites sometimes maintain at the peripheries of their claims. In the border forts, of course, there is little provision for the goods of merchants, their wagons, and such. There is usually room for little more than their garrisons, and their slaves… Five days out of Ko-ro-ba, we had stopped at one of these Merchant Fortresses. Inside the interior wall, girls are sometimes permitted to run free. They cannot escape, and it pleases them." — Captive of Gor, pages 219-220.
Merchant Kaissa
The standardized version of Kaissa developed by the caste of Merchants in conjunction with the caste of Players, also referred to as the Kaissa of En'Kara. See also: "Kaissa of En'Kara."
"Sometimes, however, to distinguish it from differing forms of the game, it is spoken of as Merchant Kaissa, from the role of the Merchants in making it the official form of Kaissa for the fairs, Player Kaissa, from the role of the Players in its codification, or the Kaissa of En'Kara, for it was officially promulgated for the first time at one of the fairs of En'Kara, that which occurred in 10,124 C.A., Contasta Ar, from the Founding of Ar, or in Year 5 of the Sovereignty of the Council of Captains, in Port Kar." — Players of Gor, page 8.
Merchant Keeps
Distinguished keeps that acknowledge them as owned by the merchant caste. These keeps sometimes are also banner keeps in which they fly the banner of the city under which the keep is established and administered. pr free keeps which are owned by the merchant caste and rented out on a commercial basis. See: "Merchant Fortresses," "Free Keeps" and "Banner Keeps."
"In the distance, even from the pool, I could see the white, looming walls of the merchant keep, Stones of Turmus, a Turian outpost, licensed for the storage of goods within the realm of Ar. Such outposts are not uncommon on Gor. They are useful in maintaining the security of trade. Their function is not military but commercial. — Slave Girl of Gor, page 248.
"You are Dina," she said. "You are slave now within the Keep of Stones of Turmus. This is a merchant keep, under the banner and shield of Turia." That the keep was under the banner of Turia designated it as a Turian keep, distinguishing it in this sense not only from keeps maintained by other cities but more importantly from the "free keeps" maintained by the merchant caste in its own right, keeps without specific municipal affiliations … Space in a "free keep" is rented on a commercial basis, regardless of municipal affiliation. In a banner keep, or one maintained by a given city, preference, if not exclusive rights, are accorded to the merchants and citizens of the city under whose banner the keep is established and administered. That the keep was also under the shield of Tuna meant that it was defended by Turians, that its garrison was Turian. Sometimes a keep will fly a given banner but its garrison will be furnished by the city within whose territory it lies. It is not unknown for a keep to fly the banner of one city and stand behind the shield of another. — Slave Girl of Gor, page 255.
Merchant Law
A common body of law regulating weights, meaurements, et al. Merchant Law is the only common body of law existing amongst the cities of Gor and standardization is kept current via the four annual fairs at the Sardar.
"The Weight and the Stone, incidentally, are standardized throughout the Gorean cities by Merchant Law, the only common body of law existing among the cities." — Raiders of Gor, page 127.
Merchants, Caste of
Though one of the Low Castes of Gor, one which is deemed of great importance.
Mesh Cage
Tiered, platformed cages that are found below decks on a slave cargo ship, made of a mesh to keep slave girls from being too muchly bitten by ship urts.
"A cunning mesh and cage arrangement is incorporated into the platforms. The slatted wood of the tiers, on which the girls lay, permits cage mesh to pass unimpeded from the roof of the sixth tier to the bottom of the first tier. The mesh is cleated to the wood of each tier. Each girl, in effect, has her own meshed cage, separate from that of the others. Thus, if an urt manages to enter one area he has at his mercy only one captive, not five." — Slave Girl of Gor, page 318.
Message Collar
A high, thick leather collar which is sewn around a person's neck. Sewn inside are messages.
There was, however, literally sewn about her neck, a thick, high leather collar. — Nomads of Gor, page 35.
"It is a message collar," said Kamchak." Inside the leather, sewn within, will be a message." — Nomads of Gor, page 40.
Message Drums
Drums beat in such a way to relay messages to others. In the Ushindi, the drum notes are similar to many of the dialects spoken, and therefore it is able to duplicate entire sentences on the drums. The great black Ubar, Bila Huruma, devised a spectacular drum stations which became superior to such devices as the smoke and beacon ciphers of the northern; second only to the advanced technology of the Priest-Kings and the Kurii.
"More impressive to me was Ayari's capacity to read the drums, though, I am told, this is not difficult for anyone who can speak the inland speech fluently. Analogues to the major vowel sounds of the inland speech are found in certain of the drum notes, which differ, depending on where the hollowed, grooved log, is struck. The rhythm of the drum message, of course, is the rhythm of the inland speech. Thus, on the drum it is possible to duplicate, in effect, the vowels and intonation contours of inland sentences. When one adds to this certain additional drum signals corresponding, in effect, to keys to the message or to certain consonantal ciphers, one has, in effect, a direct, effective, ingenious device at one's disposal, given the drum relays, for long-distance communication. A message may be conveyed by means of drum stations for hundreds of pasangs in less than an Ahn. Needless to say Bila Huruma had adopted and improved this device and it had played, and continued to play, its role in the effectiveness of his military machine and in the efficiency of the administration of his ubarate. As a communication device it was clearly superior to the smoke and beacon ciphers of the north. There was, as far as I knew, nothing on Gor to compare with it except, of course; the advanced technological equipment at the disposal of the Priest-Kings and Kurii, equipment of a sort generally forbidden, in the weapons and communication laws, to most Gorean humans." — Explorers of Gor, page 219.
Message Flag
Flags used to communicate messages ship to ship.
"Message flags, doubtless repeating the message of the trumpets, were being run from the decks on their halyards to the heights of the stem castles." — Raiders of Gor, page 197.
Message Rope
A message device used by the Priest-Kings made of a coil of cloth-like material.
"For longer periods of time there are various devices for recording a message, without relying on complex mechanical devices. The simplest and one of the most fascinating is a chemically treated rope of cloth-like material which the Priest-King, beginning at an end bearing a certain scent, saturates with the odors of his message. This coiled message-rope then retains the odors indefinitely and when another Priest-King wishes to read the message he unrolls it slowly scanning it serially with the jointed sensory appendages." — Priest-Kings of Gor, pages 78-79.
Messenger Mark
See: "Golden Slash of the Messenger."
Metaglana
A term which denotes a female no longer a virgin.
"The closest to the English is the distinction between 'glana' and 'metaglana.' 'Glana' denotes the state of virginity and 'metaglana' denotes the state succeeding virginity." — Savages of Gor, page 203.
"The buyers were also informed that I was 'glana,' or a virgin. The correlated term is 'metaglana,' used to designate the state to which the glana state looks forward, or that which it is regarded as anticipating. Though the word was not used of me I was also 'profalarina', which term designates the state proceeding, and anticipating, that of 'falarina,' the state Goreans seem to think of as that of being a full women, or, at least, as those of Earth might think of it, one who certainly is no longer a virgin. In both terms, 'glana' and 'profalarina', incidentally, it seems that the states they designate are regarded as immature or transitory, those of 'metaglana' or 'falarina.' Among slaves, not free women, those things are sometimes spoken of along the lines as to whether or not a girl has been "opened" for the uses of men. Other common terms, not generally of slaves, are 'white silk' and 'red silk', for girls, who have not yet been opened, or have been opened, for the uses of men, respectively." — Dancer of Gor, page 128.
Metal Workers, Caste of
One of the low castes of Gor.
Mfalme
An inland word of the Ukungu dialect, which translates as a high chieftain.
"He is Mfalme of Ukungu. He does not speak to commoners."
"Tell him he is no longer the Mfalme of Ukungu," I said. "Tell him he was deposed. If there is any longer a Mfalme of Ukungu it is Aibu, the wise and noble." Actually Aibu would become a district administrator, as high chieftain of Ukungu, under the sovereignty of Bila Huruma… "Tell him," said I, "that Bila Huruma, his own Ubar, speaks to commoners. Tell him that a true Mfalme listens to, and speaks with, all men." … The inland and Ukungu speech, I suppose, would have been regarded linguistically as two dialects of the same mother tongue… — Explorers of Gor, pages 246-247."… in using the title of Mfalme, I had acknowledged that I, for one, would continue to recognize his lofty status in Ukungu." — Explorers of Gor, page 261.
Miller, Caste of
One who mills grains.
Date: 14th century;
"One that operates a mill; specifically: one that grinds grain into flour." — Merriam-Webster Dictionary ©2004-2006
""My admission to the races," said another man, a Miller, has been paid a dozen times by the House of Cernus." He referred to a practice of handing out passes, dated ostraka bearing the print of the House of Cernus, outside the gate of the Slayer's house, which were dispensed on a first-come-first-served basis, a thousand a day, each day of the races. Some men spent the night at the walls of the house of Cernus, that they might obtain their ostrakon at dawn. — Assassin of Gor, page 232.
Mindar
Colorful bird of the rainforests.
"In the second level, that of the canopies, is found an incredible variety of birds, warblers, finches, mindars, the crested lit and the common lit, the fruit tindel, the yellow gim, tanagers, some varieties of parrot, and many more." — Explorers of Gor, page 311.
[The] Minor Block(s)
In a slave auction house, the blocks upon which slaves are sold to the general public for average prices.
"The major auction house, the Curulean, contains the great block. It is a great mark of prestige among slave girls to be selected for sale from the great block in the Curulean, and girls tend to compete viciously among themselves for this honor… At the minor blocks in the small houses, or even the minor blocks in the Curulean, sales are conducted with a swiftness and dispatch that gives the girl little time to interest and impress buyers, with the result that even a very fine girl, to her indignation and shame, may be sold for only an average price to an average buyer, who may use her for little more than, as it is said, kettle and mat. This type of thing is at its worst when large numbers of girls must be sold, as when a city has fallen. Then, stripped, chained by the throat, in a long chain of girls, each separated from the other by about ten feet, secured not even by the dignity of a collar but only by a loop of the communal chain bolted or padlocked about her neck, each is dragged up the steps of the minor block, bid upon while a one-Ehn sand clock is turn highest bid that comes forth in one Ehn, and then dragged down the steps on the other side, making room for the next girl." — Assassin of Gor, page 112.
Mint
It is not mentioned which form of garden variety mint plant (spearmint or peppermint) is found on Gor. We do know that there has to be a mint plant as mint sticks were served as after dinner palate cleansers, as well as mint candies were often given to slave girls.
"On the tray, too, was the metal vessel which had contained the black wine, steaming and bitter, from far Thentis, famed for its tarn flocks, the small yellow-enameled cups from which we had drunk the black wine, its spoons and sugars, a tiny bowl of mint sticks, and the softened, dampened cloths on which we had wiped our fingers." — Explorers of Gor, page 10.
Mint Stick
A tasty confection served; most likely this is the after-dinner candy to clear the palate, just as on Earth.
"On the tray, too, was the metal vessel which had contained the black wine, steaming and bitter, from far Thentis, famed for its tarn flocks, the small yellow-enameled cups from which we had drunk the black wine, its spoons and sugars, a tiny bowl of mint sticks, and the softened, dampened cloths on which we had wiped our fingers." — Explorers of Gor, page 10.
Minus
A small village, owing tribute to Ar.
Mission of the First Capture
It is a young tarnsman first mission, to capture a slave for his personal quarters. It is rather a festive occasion for all, including the slave girl.
"… one of the young tarnsman's first missions is often the capture of a slave for his personal quarters. When he brings home his captive, bound naked across the saddle of his tarn, he gives her over, rejoicing, to his sisters, to be bathed, perfumed and clothed in the brief slave livery of Gor.
That night, at a great feast, he displays the captive, now suitably attired by his sisters in the diaphanous, scarlet dancing silks of Gor. Bells have been strapped to he ankles, and she is bound in slave bracelets. Proudly, he presents her to his parents, his friends and warrior comrades. Then, to the festive music of flutes and drums, the girl kneels. The young man approaches her, bearing a slave collar, its engraving proclaiming his name and city. The music grows more intense, mounting to an overpowering, barbaric crescendo, which stops suddenly, abruptly. The room is silent, absolutely silent, except for the decisive click of the collar lock. It is a sound the girl will never forget. As soon as the lock closes, there is a great shout, congratulating, saluting the young man. He returns to his place among the tables that line the low-ceilinged chamber, hung with glowing brass lamps. He sits in the midst of his family, his closest well-wishers, his sword comrades, cross- legged on the floor in the Gorean fashion behind the long, low wooden table, laden with food, which stands at the head of the room.
Now all eyes are on the girl. The restraining slave bracelets are removed. She rises. Her feet are bare on the thick, ornately wrought rug that carpets the chamber. There is a slight sound from the bells strapped to her ankles. She is angry, defiant. Though she is clad only in the almost transparent scarlet dancing silks of Gor, her back is straight, her head high. She is determined not to be tamed, not to submit, and her proud carriage bespeaks this fact. The spectators seem amused. She glares at them. Angrily she looks from face to face. There is no one she knows, or could know, because she has been taken from a hostile city, she is a woman of the enemy. Fists clenched, she stands in the center of the room, all eyes upon her, beautiful in the light of the hanging lamps. She faces the young man, wearing his collar.
"You will never tame me!" she cries. Her outburst provokes laughter, skeptical observations, some good-natured hooting.
"I will tame you at my pleasure," replies the young man, and signals to the musicians. The music begins again. Perhaps the girl hesitates. There is a slave whip on the wall. Then, to the barbaric, intoxicating music of the flute and drums, she dances for her captor, the bells on her ankles marking each of her movements, the movements of a girl stolen from her home, who must now live to please the bold stranger whose binding fiber she had felt, whose collar she wore. At the end of her dance, she is given a cup of wine, but she may not drink. She approaches the young man and kneels before him, her knees in the dictated position of the Pleasure Slave, and, head down, she proffers the wine to him. He drinks. There is another general shout of commendation and well wishing, and the feast begins, for none before the young man may touch food on such occasions. From that moment on, the young man's sisters never again serve him, for that is the girl's task. She is his slave. As she serves him again and again throughout the long feast, she steals glances at him, and sees that he is even more handsome than she had thought. Of his courage and strength she had already had ample evidence. As he eats and drinks with gusto on this occasion of his triumph, she regards him furtively, with a strange mixture of fear and pleasure." Only such a man," she tells herself, "could tame me." — Outlaw of Gor, pages 51-53.
Mita
The term in the dialect of the Dust Legs and Kaiila tribes of the red savages meaning "my."
"Hodakiciyapi," said Grunt. "Hou, Koda. Hou, Mitakoda."
"Peace, friendship," had said Grunt, "Greetings. Friend. Greetings, my friend," in Dust Leg. He then added, in Kaiila, for good measure, substantially the same message. "Hou, Kola. Hou, Mitakola. Olakota. Wolakota." "Greetings, Friend. Greetings, my friend. Peace. Peace. Friendship." — Savages of Gor, page 257.
Mitakoda
The term in the dialect of the Dust Legs tribe of the red savages meaning "my friend."
"Hodakiciyapi," said Grunt. "Hou, Koda. Hou, Mitakoda."
"Peace, friendship," had said Grunt, "Greetings. Friend. Greetings, my friend," in Dust Leg. He then added, in Kaiila, for good measure, substantially the same message. "Hou, Kola. Hou, Mitakola. Olakota. Wolakota." "Greetings, Friend. Greetings, my friend. Peace. Peace. Friendship." — Savages of Gor, page 257.
Mitakola
The term in the dialect of the Kaiila tribe of the red savages meaning "my friend."
"Hodakiciyapi," said Grunt. "Hou, Koda. Hou, Mitakoda."
"Peace, friendship," had said Grunt, "Greetings. Friend. Greetings, my friend," in Dust Leg. He then added, in Kaiila, for good measure, substantially the same message. "Hou, Kola. Hou, Mitakola. Olakota. Wolakota." "Greetings, Friend. Greetings, my friend. Peace. Peace. Friendship." — Savages of Gor, page 257.
Mnemonic Blow
The final strike of a whip during a slave's initial whipping to remind her that she is a slave. See also: "Gratis Blow" and "Last Blow."
Etymology:Greek mnemonikos, from mnemon- mindful + -ikos -ic, -ical; akin to Greek mnasthai to remember;
"Assisting or intended to assist memory 'some mnemonic device like a string tied around the finger;' of or relating to mnemonics; of or relating to memory "mnemonic skill.'" — Merriam-Webster Dictionary ©2004-2006
"I then stood behind her, and to her left, I grasped the handle of the slave whip with two hands. Then again, with unrestrained force, the hardest blow of all, was she struck. She cried out in pain. Then, again, sobbing, she hung in the bracelets, a whipped slave. This last blow is often, though not invariably, added to a slave's whipping. It is sometimes referred to as the gratis blow, or the mnemonic blow. Often it functions as little more than a stroke for, say, good measure. To be sure, whatever its purpose, it makes it very clear to the slave that she is fully under discipline, and that the master may, if he wishes, beat her how, when and as much as he pleases." — Guardsman of Gor, page 205.
Moon Seasons
Method of calendar keeping by the peoples of the red savages; the moons mark not only the seasons, but specific aspects of life among the tribes, such as noting the time when tabuks rut and certain crops flourish.
"For those who might be interested in such things, we came to the wands in the early spring, early in Magaksicaagliwi, which is the Moon of the Returning Gants. The preceding moon was the Sore-Eye Moon, or Istawicayazanwi." — Savages of Gor, page 144.
Moons and Collar Brand
Brand of slaves of the Priest-Kings.
Mooring Cleat
Used to tether boats.
Mooring: Date: 15th century;
"1.) An act of making fast a boat or aircraft with lines or anchors;
2a.)A place where or an object to which something (as a craft) can be moored
2b). A device (as a line or chain) by which an object is secured in place." — Merriam-Webster Dictionary ©2004-2006
"Telima, kneeling bound below me, on the left, the binding fiber on her throat, tethered to the mooring cleat, looked up at me." — Raiders of Gor, page 85.
Mortar
A bowl-shaped vessel in which grain is placed, grinding it into flour with the use of a pestle. See: "Pestle."
Etymology:Middle English
morter, from Old English mortere & Middle French mortier, from Latin mortarium mortar, vessel in which substances are pounded or rubbed, plastic building material that hardens and is used in masonry, trough in which mortar is mixed; akin to Greek marainein to waste away;
"A small usually bowl-shaped vessel made of a hard material (as stone, porcelain or brass) in which substances are pounded or rubbed with a pestle." — Merriam-Webster Dictionary ©2004-2006
"The heavy, round-ended pestle some five feet in height, more than five inches wide at the base, dropped. It weighed some thirty pounds. When it dropped, the heavy wooden bowl, more than a foot deep and eighteen inches in diameter tipped. Sa-Tarna grain spilled to the ground." — Tribesmen of Gor, pages 136-137.
Mortar Block
One of the stones used in an ancient grinding device called the quern. The mortar block, or the anvil block, is used principally in the same way as the more ancient method of the mortar and pestle. The mortar block serves as the base in which the grain rests. The pounding block descends into the mortar block continually through the use of a springy, bent pole. See: "Quern."
"In some villages, however, something approximating the old mortar and pestle is sometimes used, the two blocks, a pounding block strung to a springy, bent pole, and the mortar block, or anvil block. The pole has one or more ropes attached to it, near its end. When these are drawn downward the pounding block descends into the mortar block, and the springiness of the pole, of course, straightening, then raises it for another blow." — Renegades of Gor, pages 17-18.
[The] Mother
The highest authority in the Nest, though she was not considered a Priest-King.
"Greatest in the Nest is the Mother," said Misk… "None may see the Mother save her caste attendants and the High Priest-Kings," said Sarm, "the First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Born." — Priest-Kings of Gor, page 87.
"The Mother is the Nest and the Nest is the Mother," said Misk. — Priest-Kings of Gor, page 92.
Misk looked at me quizzically. "The Mother," he said, "was not a Priest-King — she was simply, The Mother." — Priest-Kings of Gor, page 312.
Mountebank
The mountebank is one who hawk medicinal remedies, attracting customers with entertainment.
Mountebank:
A hawker of quack medicines who attract customers with stories, jokes or tricks; a flamboyant charlatan. — American Heritage College Dictionary, Third Edition ©2001
"Later that afternoon there was an entertainment at the compound. A mountebank, with pointed hat, with a tuft on it, in silly robes, with his painted clown's face, leading a strange animal, arrived at the compound. For a copper tarn disk he would give a performance at the compound. He danced and turned somersaults, and sang silly songs, before the bars. He was a small, thin man, agile. He had quick eyes, and hands. And he told funny stories and jokes. He also performed magic tricks, with silks and scarves, and juggled colored hoops he wore at his belt. Then he would reach through the bars and pretend to find coins in the hair of the girls. From my hair, to my delight, he seemed to draw forth a silver tarsk." — Captive of Gor, page 102.
Mounting Ladder
The ladder attached to a tarn saddle to enable the rider to mount the bird.
The Older Tarl had mounted his tarn, climbing up the five-rung leather mounting ladder which hangs on the left side of the saddle and is pulled up in flight. He fastened himself in the saddle with a broad purple strap. — Tarnsman of Gor, page 52.
Mud Rafts
Small rafts made of log and liana vines which were used in the Ushindi by the rogue's chains. As they dug up mud to form a canal, the mud was then placed on these rafts for later disposal.
"We stood near the mud raft, that raft of logs and liana vines on which we placed our shovelfuls of mud." — Explorers of Gor, page 244.
Mul
A human slave of the Priest Kings.
"In the Nest," said Misk, "the expression 'Mul' is used to designate a human slave." — Priest-Kings of Gor, page 94.
Mul-Case
Transparent, plastic cubed chambers, which serve as living space for Muls.
"You have been assigned quarters," said one of the two slaves, "a case in the chamber of Misk."
I looked at them blankly. "A case?" I asked.
"It is quite comfortable," said the other, "with fungus and water." …
My case was a transparent plastic cube of perhaps eight feet square, with ventilation holes and a sliding plastic door. There was no lock on the door and thus I could come and go as I pleased. Inside the cube there were canisters of Mul-Fungus, a bowl, a ladle, a wooden-bladed Fungus-Knife; a wooden-headed Fungus-Mallet; a convenient tube of Mul-Pellets, which discharged its contents one at a time following my depressing a lever in the bottom of the tube; and a large, inverted jar of water, by means of which an attached, somewhat shallow, watering pan was kept filled. In one corner of the case there was a large, circular padding a few inches deep of soft, rough-cut, reddish moss which was not uncomfortable and was changed daily. Adjoining the cube, reached from the cube by sliding plastic panels, were a lavatory facility and a washing-booth. The washing-booth was remarkably like the showers with which we are familiar except that one may not regulate the flow of fluid. — Priest-Kings of Gor, page 111.
Mul-Fungus
A mushroom which serves as the staple food of the Muls, fed to them four times per day.
"It is not hard to get used to Mul-Fungus, for it has almost no taste, being an extremely bland, pale, whitish, fibrous vegetable-like matter. Muls feed four times a day. In the first meal, Mul-Fungus is ground and mixed with water, forming a porridge of sorts; for the second meal it is chopped into rough two-inch cubes; for the third meal it is minced with Mul-Pellets and served as a sort of cold hash; the Mul-Pellets are undoubtedly some type of dietary supplement; at the final meal Mul-Fungus is pressed into a large, flat cake and sprinkled with a few grains of salt. The Mul-Fungus, as far as I can tell, is not much different from the fungus, raised under ideal conditions from specially selected spores, which graces the feed troughs of the Priest-Kings themselves, a tiny sample of which was once given me by Misk." — Priest-Kings of Gor, page 109.
Mul-Pellets
Pellets made of fungus which serve as a dietary supplement of the Muls.
"… for the third meal it is minced with Mul-Pellets and served as a sort of cold hash; the Mul-Pellets are undoubtedly some type of dietary supplement…" — Priest-Kings of Gor, page 109.
Mul-Torch
Torches specificially designed for working Muls to light the dark tunnels of the Nest; produce a vast amount of light, but produce little heat.
He then went to a compartment in the wall and withdrew a slender black rod. He broke the end of the rod off and it began to burn with a bluish flame. "This is a Mul-Torch," said Misk, "used by Muls who raise fungus in darkened chambers. You will need it to see." There seemed to be very little heat from the bluish flame of the Mul-Torch but, considering the size of the flame, a surprising amount of light. "The workers of the Fungus-Trays," said Misk, "break off both ends of the torch and climb about on the trays with the torch in their teeth." — Priest-Kings of Gor, page 115.
Mul Translator Engineers
Muls that work for the Priest-Kings translating various languages; then coding such translations onto the Translator.
"I made no move but I was startled to hear the Gorean expression for 'friend' emanate from Sarm's translator. I knew there was no expression in the language of the Priest-Kings which was a satisfactory equivalent for the expression. I had tried to find it on the translator and lexical tapes which Misk had placed at my disposal. Literally what hearing the expression from Sarm meant was that he had had the item specially entered into his translator tapes and correlated with a random odor, much as if we had decided to invent a name to stand for some novel relation or object. I wondered if Sarm had much idea of the meaning of the expression 'friend' or if it were merely used because he calculated that it would produce a favorable impression on me. He might have asked Mul Translator Engineers for such an expression and an explanation of it, and I supposed they might have given him the expression 'friend' and explained it for him, more or less adequately, in terms of the normal consequences of the relation designated, such things as tending to be well disposed toward one, tending to want to do well by one, and so on." — Priest-Kings of Gor, page 132.
Musicians, Caste of
One of the low castes of Gor.
Mushrooms
Tasty fungus, served stuffed, often with tarsk sausage.
"I am an Alar," Hurtha explained. "Have a stuffed mushroom." — Mercenaries of Gor, page 81.
I was particularly fond of stuffed mushrooms… "What are they stuffed with?" I asked Hurtha.
"Sausage," he said.
"Tarsk?" I asked.
"Of course," he said. — Mercenaries of Gor, page 83.
Special Note
Because of the differences in publishing the books, depending upon whether published in the U.S. or Europe, depending upon whether a first publishing or a Masquerade Books release, page numbers will often vary. All of my quotes are from original, first-printing U.S. publications (see The Books page for a listing of publishers and dates) with the exception of the following books:
- Tarnsman of Gor (2nd Printing, Balantine)
- Outlaw of Gor (11th Printing, Balantine)
- Priest-Kings of Gor (2nd Printing, Balantine)
- Assassin of Gor (10th Printing, Balantine)
- Raiders of Gor (15th Printing, Balantine)
- Captive of Gor (3rd Printing, Balantine)
Disclaimer
These pages are not written for any specific home, but rather as informational pages for those not able to get ahold of the books and read them yourself. Opinions and commentaries are strictly my own personal views, therefore, if you don't like what you are reading — then don't. The information in these pages is realistic to what is found within the books. Many sites have added information, assuming the existences of certain products and practices, such as willowbark and agrimony for healing, and travel to earth and back for the collection of goods. I've explored the books, the flora, the fauna, and the beasts, and have compiled from those mentioned, the probabilities of certain practices, and what vegetation mentioned in the books is suitable for healing purposes, as well as given practicalities to other sorts of roleplaying assumptions.